Summary

After dinner Nikolai walks around his farm reveling in the natural beauty of a summer night in the country and wonders how Arkady and Bazarov can reject these simple splendors. Nikolai encounters Pavel who is also out for an evening stroll and the two brothers commiserate on the ever-growing distance between themselves and the younger generation.

Inside the house Bazarov suggests that he and Arkady accept the invitation that has arrived from Arkady's cousin who is an official in a neighboring town. From there, Bazarov will proceed to his own home to visit his family whom he has not seen for three years. Arkady is saddened at the prospect of Bazarov not returning to the farm but agrees to make the trip to visit his cousin.

Arkady and Bazarov arrive at the office of Arkady's cousin, Matvy Ilyich Kolyazin, who greets the young men with enthusiasm. Kolyazin...